“Scared” is the feeling most mums get when they think of getting back into the workforce even part time after several years of child care. This is mainly caused by the fear of being under qualified or of being redundant due to rapid changes within the workforce, both technology-wise and process-wise, during their years of absence. However, this doesn’t need to be a cause for worry. Being a stay-at-home mom actually hones many transferrable skills. Here is how to write functional skills clearly and concisely on your Stay-At-Home Mom Resume.
What Is A Stay-At-Home Mom Resume And Why You Need One
A smart resume turns what seem to be drawbacks into strengths. A statement of strengths as opposed to a statement of apologies, is a resume that will get attention. A good resume recognizes that the gap in work history and fills it in with functional resume skills that can give you an edge and boost your performance in the workplace. Essentially, make sure to summarize your experiences learned through working at home in a way that can be transferred to the workplace.
Turn Your Mothering Experience Into Marketable Job Skills
So how does one go about creating a smart resume? Simple. Package all your experiences in a professional manner. For example, being a mum and raising kids requires one to be committed to the task at hand. There are no breaks from such a responsibility. This brings about the aspect of being exceptionally committed, loyal and dependable. These are all characteristics that are favored by employers. These skills should appear as part of your strengths based on your experience.
Being a mum also requires a high degree of long term and short term planning, decision making, organizational and management skills for activities like having birthday parties, taking children to and from school, relating with other mums in the community or neighbourhood groups, PTA activities etc. These activities also require one to be time conscious and these are skills that every employer wants within their firm.
Other positive traits that come with the territory of being a mum include having to spend time doing charity and volunteering. Such skills are important to companies that advocate corporate social responsibility and giving back.
There’s also the aspect of “soft skills” necessary for one to be a mum, that are favored by certain kinds of jobs. These skills include empathy and understanding, slow to anger, firm with correction, conflict and resolution management and a natural desire to guide and protect. These are qualities very much appreciated in careers such as nursing, teaching, customer service representatives, etc.
Gain New Job Skills While You Are Mothering
In short, the time spent outside the workforce by mothers, should not be looked at as time wasted. Rather it is a chance to also relax and engage in other activities and pleasures that life has to offer. And depending on one’s financial situation, it’s a great time to engage in updating one’s resume by gaining some more education. Especially as regards new technologies such as software and computing.
All this can be accomplished part-time without having to sacrifice on the family roles. One can also choose to engage more in their hobbies. Or pick up new ones such as e-book writing, mat making, etc. The more tangible the results of the hobbies are the better. This creates a portfolio that can be used when one is ready to get back into the working world.
Clear Resume Presentation
In the end, being a stay-at-home mom has many great advantages. If you can write them clearly and concisely on your resume, you should be a highly competitive job applicant. Be proud of your experiences and make the most of your situation and you will be happily employed in whatever career you want in no time. Make your Stay-At-Home Mom Resume stand out by filling employment gaps with roles you had and skills you developed.
This article was contributed by Erik Bowitz, a consultant at Resume Companion, a contributor to Copy My Resume, a free resume help resource. He has helped thousands of stay-at-home mothers rework their resumes so that they can find better employment faster.
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Small Footprints says
Excellent article. As I read through it, I realized that it’s great advice for everyone … not just stay-at-home moms. So many people have been without work during the economic crises and as they return to work, they have huge gaps in their resume. The advice offered here would work well for them too. Thank you!
I’ve give this post a thumbs up in StumbleUpon! 🙂
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
GREAT tips. I consider myself to be a SAHM, but I do actually work a “real” job for about 10 hours a week at home, so that is what I put on my resume.
Gina says
I certainly like your web site and appreciate your tips on how to make my stay at home mom resume look professional.
Sheena says
Thank you, I have just been looking for info about writing a resume after a mom break for ages
and yours is the best I have came upon till now.